Vehicle construction



Aug. 25, 1936.

H. w. STONE VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheel'l 1 a Ile.:

l llll lllll llll ull A Q Filed Deo. l2, 1954 3l INVENTOR.

HAE/Y LU. STONE ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 25, 1936. H. w. STONE n 2,052,051'6 VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. l2, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ilm-' INVENTOR. BYHA/a/QY W. STONE ATTORNE Aug. 25, 1936." H, w. STONE 2,052,056

VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 12, 1954 3 sheets-sheet s4 INVENTOR. /f/A/@e Y 0. STONE.

ATTORNEYS.

BY Y M GA-mm/ Alhi Patented Aug. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates generally to vehicle construction, and morelparticularly to wheel suspension and driving mechanisms therefor.

An object of this invention is to provide a suspension mechanism for the 'front and/or rear embodying aradius rod foreach wheel associated therewithand withthe frame of the vehiclein such manner that all driving and braking forces are transmitted from the wheel through the rod to the frame so as to insure free action of the individual transverse springs in effectively cushioning road shocks. Y Y

A further object of this invention is to provide in conjunction with the spring suspension mechanism, means by which the camber and/or caster of the front steering wheels of the vehicle can be varied in an extremely simple and expeditious manner in `order to originally obtain the correct setting or position of adjustment for easy and safe steering, and to effect any readjustment which might be required incident to misalignment occurring during use ofthe vehicle. y

Still another object of this invention is to associate with the spring suspension mechanism a simple and positivedriving mechanism including power plant, transmission, clutch and differential gear units compactly associated with the rear wheel Vand spring assembly in a novelv manner to reduce power losses to a minimum by eiiiciently transmitting4 a smooth flow of Vpower to the rear Wheelsirrespective of the relative vertical movements of the WheelsV during travel on the road.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel arrangements and combinations of elements as set forth in the following specification Aand particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1` is a bottom plan View of the forward portion of a vvehicle chassis, showing the wheel suspension mechanism embodying this invention, associated with the front steering wheels of the vehicle; Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure v3 is a view in front elevation partly (CI. 28o-96.1)

broken away, of the chassis and spring suspension mechanism shown in the preceding figures;

Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of a twopart connector embodied in the spring suspension mechanism;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view illustrating the manner in which the parts of the two part connector are associated;

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the rear portion of the vehicle chassis looking in the direction 10 0i the arrows and assuming the chassis is turned right side up, showing the wheel suspensio-n mechanism embodying this invention associated with the rear driven wheels of the vehicle;

VFigure 8 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view 15 `taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a vertical transverse sectional View taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a detail sectional View of a form of pivotal connection embodied in the invention; 2Q

Figure 11 is a detail sectional view of a dual universal Ajoint connection embodied in the invention.

Referring specifically to the drawings, and particularlyto Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, and 10 and 11, 25 this invention, in its-present embodiment, comprises a chassis frame F of generally tubular construction including longitudinal members I0 and I I suitably braced and rigidly connected at their forward ends by transverse members I2 and I3. 304 The forward portions of the longitudinal members Ill and II are arched as shown in Figure 2,'and these portions are also connected at substantially the top of the arches by other transverse members I4 and I5 which together with oblique braces I6 35 rigidly support a spring anchor platform I'I in a horizontal position centrally beneath and between the longitudinal members.

To the transverse members I4 and I5 and to the spring anchor platform I'I are rigidly secured by suitable U-bolts I8, the root ends of upper and lower sets of quarter elliptic leaf springs AI9 and 20, respectively, there being two pairs of oppositely disposed springs in each set with the springs of' each pair extending transversely bf the chassis frame and in parallel spaced relationship. The several springs are identical in construction and dimensions, with the root ends 'of the upper set of springs disposed directly above the root ends of the lower 50 set of springs.

The tip end of the master leaf of each spring is formed with an eye 2| and is adapted to be operatively connected to either a right or left road wheel assembly A or A', the wheels of which 55 in the present instance are intended to function as the front steering wheels of the vehicle,

To this end, two parts connectors C and C are provided, identical in construction, and one for each assembly A and A. Each connector C or C comprises a. spring anchor member in the form of a rectangular plate 22 having upper and lower sleeves 23 and 24 with which the eyes 2l of the upper and lower springs I9 and 20 are respectively adapted to be alined so as to vreceive shackle bolts 25 and thereby pivotally anchor the tip ends of the upper and lower pairs of springs to the plate 22 at points one directly above the other.

The other part of each connector C orC' cornprises a yoke member in the form of a U-bracket 26 having lateral branches 21 projecting from a rectangular plate 28. The branches 21 have aligned openings 23 through which a king-.pin 3U is adapted to be extended to pivotally mount the conventional steering knuckle 3| of thewheel assembly A or A on the yoke member.

Thev plate 28 of 'the yoke member is provided centrally with an opening 32 and with arcuate' slots 33 at opposite sides of and concentric with the center of such opening. A pin 34 carried by and projecting from opposite sides of the anchor member plate 22 has one of its ends mounted in the opening 32 to provide for a pivotal ortiltable adjustment of thel yoke member on the anchor member in order to vary the caster of the king pin 3G. Bolts 35 extend through the slots 33 and through registering openings 36 in the anchor member plate 22 and are'provided with nuts 31. These nuts when tightened, rigidly clamp the yoke and anchor members together in a'selected position of relative angular adjustment so as to maintain the king.Y pin" at the angle of caster selected.

Radius rods 38, one for each wheel assembly, are provided and. each is pivotallyconnected at itsY rear end to aY longitudinal member I0 or of the chassis frame F as indicated at 39. The forward end of each rodis pivotally` connected to the pin 34 of the corresponding anchor mem'- ber, a nut4'being threaded on the pin to secure the rod'to the pin.

A detail. of the speciiic connections at the ends of the radius rods is illustrated in Figure 10 and. constitutes a sleeve 41| of elasticY rubber interposedr between the pivot` pin of each connection and the rod. Elastic rubber washers 42 are also mounted on the pin of each connection to abut opposite sides ofthe rod. The sleeves 4| and washers 42vfunction to cushion shocks imposed onthe radius rods and co-act with the latter in insuring that the free action of the springs will not be restricted,.as itwill be clear that all driving and braking forces. will be transmitted to thechassis frame through the rods. This form of cushioned pivotal connection can as well be: provided at the tip ends of the springs I9 and-20, as will-be understood without further detailed. description.

A-verticalsteering shaft 43 is journaled inthe platform l1 and chassis' frame centrallybetween the wheel assemblies A and A and-has iixed thereto arsteering arm 44. By means of aligned ball andV socket joints'- 45 and 46,- one above andthe other below the armV (Figure 11), the inner ends of links 41 and 48 areconnected tothe arm. Theouter ends ofvv these. linksare connected byA a similar ball-and-socket joint to agg-suitable non-rotatable part of the respective wheel assemblysuch as the steering knuckle 3| for example, so that rotational movement imparted by suitable mechanism (not shown) to the shaft 43, will effect corresponding steering movement of the wheels.

Referring now to Figures 7, 8 and 9, a spring suspension mechanism substantially the same in construction as that previously described, but for the rear driving wheels of the vehicle, is herein disclosed.

The longitudinalr members I0 and of the chassis frame F are connected at their rear end portions by transverse members 50, 5|, 52 and 53" and by other members 54 and 55 having oblique end portions 56 and intermediate parallel spacedapart portions 51 extending longitudinally at opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the frame.

A plurality of vertical struts 58 rigidly connect the members 5| and 52 with the intermediate portions 51 of the members 54 and 55. At the joinders of' thesefmembers springseats 59 are provided.

anchored Eby U-bolts. IB'a.. The number, arrangement andv functionin'giof these springs is -identi-Y ca'lto'v that'` previously described in conjunction with the. front wheels of the vehicle. However thef tip ends of these rear springs are anchored toi'non-rotatableparts: of. the rear driving wheel assemblies A2 and1A3, which parts in the present instance' constitute. the brake bandv supports -6|| having sleeves 6| through which shackle bolts G2. are passed.-

Radiuslrrodsf38ware' connected to the longitudina'lzmembers" I'and |I and'to' the brake band supports 60 to function in the same manner as the'. radius '.-rods `3 lfpreviously described.

Associated with thel spring suspension-mechanisrnfor` the rear-:wheels is a driving mechanism including a powerplant B3, clutch and transmission 64 and differential gear unit'65, all form--l ingalunitary'structure mounted in the chassis frame. This specific arrangement and mounting ofthe driving mechanism is more specifically described. and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No`..-75.'7,223, led December 12, 1934.

Between the differentialunit 65 and'V the'rear wheels-ofthe assemblies A2 and A3 are right and left propellerl shafts BBand 61, having suitable universal joint connections 68`with the unit and wheels in order to perm-it'vertical movements of the latter' and yet transmit power thereto.

From the foregoing description, it will be manifest that there `has been provided by this invention asimple, rugged and inexpensive lspringV suspension mechanism applicable to all wheels of the vehicle.Y in a mannery to resiliently mount the wheels for4 vertical movements independentlyof each other to efficiently. cushion road shocks and to eliminate the usual expensive rigid axles. Fur'- therrnore.. it will be manifest that the invention providesl for necessary adjustments ofthe front steeringwheels, in a manner to insure easy and safelsteering while affording the advantages of structural' simplicity'- and maximum structural strength.

What is claimedis:

1. AInvehicle construction, a two part connector for operatively associating a road wheel-assembly with a-transverse spring suspension mechanism comprising a yoke member adapted for connection to the steering knuckle of the road wheelassemblyl; an anchor member adapted'for connection to the tip ends of' transverse springs; means forl tiltabl'yf-` mounting the yoke memberrv on the To' these@ seats upper and lower sets of quarter elliptic leaf springsl I 9aV and 20a. arel anchor member to provide for caster adjustments; and means for securing the members together in selected positions of adjustment.

2. In vehicle construction, a two part connector for operatively associating a road wheel assembly with a transverse spring suspension mechanism comprising a yoke member adapted for connection to the steering knuckle of the road wheel assembly; an anchor member adapted for connection to the tip ends of transverse springs; a pin carried by the anchor member and projecting into the yoke member for tilting adjustment of the latter on the anchor member to provide for caster adjustments; one of said members having arcuate slots concentric with the axis of said pin; and bolts extending through the slots and through the other member, for securing the members together in selected positions of adjustment.

3. In vehicle construction, a two part connector for operatively associating a road wheel assembly With a transverse spring suspension mechanism comprising a yoke member adapted for connection to the steering knuckle of the road wheel assembly, and having aligned openings for the passage of a king pin to provide a steering connection to the steering knuckle of the road Wheel assembly; an anchor member having spaced sleeves for the reception of shackle bolts to anchor the tip ends of upper and lower transverse springs to the anchor member; a pin projecting from oppositiony sides of the anchor member intermediate the sleeves and extending at one end into the yoke member for tilting adjustment of the latter on the anchor member to provide for caster adjustments; the yoke member having arcuate slots concentric with the axis of said pin; and fastening members extending through the slots and through the other member, for securing the yoke and anchor members together in selected positions of adjustment.

4. A two-part connector of the character described comprising a yoke member including lateral branches and a connecting portion; said branches having aligned openings for the passage of a king pin and said connecting portion having an opening and arcuate slots at opposite sides of and concentric with said opening; an anchor member having spaced sleeves for the reception of shackle bolts; a pin carried by the anchor member and extending into said opening of the connecting portion of the yoke member to provide for angular adjustment between the members; bolts extending through the slots of the yoke member and through the anchor member; and nuts on the bolts which, when tightened, coact therewith in clamping the members rigidly together.

HARRY W. STONE. 

